A lot can change in seven years—so I think this blog post is overdue.
I also think, in this crazy, hectic world that seems to change faster and faster from one day to the next, this promise to you is overdue.
So, if you don’t mind, allow me the opportunity to take a look back, share what has changed, and commit to you what will never change, here at Becoming Minimalist.
14 Years Ago
In 2008, Becoming Minimalist was started. My goal was simple. I had just been introduced to the lifestyle of minimalism and this blog would be my journal—a place to share what we were removing, the decisions we were making, and the lessons we learned.
The blog grew quickly, reaching more and more people. Living with less became a passion for me.
Soon, a new passion began to emerge. A desire to spread the message of minimalism as best I could to a world bound to consumerism. To not just share my story, but to invite others into the joy of owning less and to offer any help I could along the way.
Becoming Minimalist began to change. The focus became less on my story, and more on helping others. The blog continued to grow—doubling from month to month over and over again.
9 Years Ago
In 2013, a hobby became a career. As I announced here on Becoming Minimalist, I transitioned from my role as full-time pastor to full-time blogger. As I said at the time, “My greatest opportunity for impact is to promote living with less in a world that has bought into the lie that pursuing possessions is a worthy endeavor.”
And so, for the last nine years, Becoming Minimalist has been my full-time job. And I couldn’t be happier.
A lot has changed since that announcement:
I wrote Clutterfree with Kids to help parents navigate the most common areas of clutter in their child’s life.
I developed and began teaching the Uncluttered Course, a 12-week online course that has now helped over 75,000 families around the world own less stuff and live more life.I wrote The More of Less, introducing minimalism to the world.
I founded and formed The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans. The nonprofit organization was initially funded by the book advance proceeds for my books on minimalism.
I created Simplify Magazine, a digital, entirely ad-free magazine published quarterly. Each issue features 8-10 experts focusing on one topic. We’ve published 13 separate issues since 2017.
I took over No Sidebar, a website that promotes simple and distraction-free living by highlighting new and talented writers in the simple living world.
By popular demand, I wrote The Minimalist Home detailing my minimizing philosophy and providing a room-by-room approach for anyone who wants to love the home they live in.
I launched a YouTube channel hoping to reach a new audience, through video, with the life-giving benefits of minimalism. The channel just passed 250,00 subscribers—so it’s definitely working.
I created Simple Money Magazine. A digital, quarterly magazine that complements Simplify Magazine by focusing exclusively on simple, practical financial advice.
I developed and launched an app called Clutterfree. Clutterfree is the first app on the market to provide a unique and personalized roadmap to declutter your home. It is based on my philosophy and provides everything you need, in the palm of your hand, to declutter your home. It has been used effectively by 30,000 people to develop a decluttering checklist for their home.
Then, I wrote a third book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life, to take the principles of minimalism that I am known for and show how they can be applied to other distractions in life.
Like I said, a lot can change in nine years.
Today
As you might expect, Becoming Minimalist has become much bigger than I ever anticipated with more resources to help people own less than I ever dreamt possible.
The Becoming Minimalist team has grown to 9 active employees who help me create videos, edit articles, manage magazines, stay active on social media, bookkeeping, and provide customer support. Even both of my kids, now 20 & 16, are involved with the company.
We are reaching new people, in new ways, every single day.
The Becoming Minimalist Promise
With that history as the backdrop, and the fast-changing world surrounding us, I want to take a moment and offer a promise to you about this blog. Because there are some things that will not change.
Becoming Minimalist exists to invite people to own less and live more.
That was my mission 14 years ago and will be my mission going forward. I will not waver from it.
Regardless of what changes happen in the future, my focus will remain the same. I wake up every morning, excited to work, trying to answer this question, “How can I help people own less today?”
That passion (and this platform) have led to some wonderful opportunities. But the question I ask about new ideas is always the same, “Will this help people own less?” And that will remain my question going forward.
My promise to you is this:
No matter what happens around us, Becoming Minimalist will remain true to its purpose. We will help people own less and live more.
That you can always count on.
Whether you have been reading Becoming Minimalist for 14 years or 14 minutes, if you recognize that your life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions, you have come to the right place. Whether you are looking for consistent inspiration to own less or practical ideas to get you there, or just curious about the lifestyle, you have come to the right place.
Stick around awhile.
Cathy says
Thank you, Joshua, for offering this gift of Becoming Minimalist for so many years. I’ve been reading your posts for several years, and each time I read one of your posts (or a guest post), I leave inspired, with good food for thought and clear ideas for what I can do next on this journey. I’m progressing, and I really like how I’m more able to be present and help others.
Kacy says
I love reading everything you write about Minimalism. My parents were minimalists and I aspire to be their level of minimal. Mom died a few years ago, but when my dad died recently we discovered that the only thing mom hung onto were photos, cards and family newspaper articles. We are finding letters and photos from the days when the camera was a newfangled invention! We have no idea who many of these people are or why she kept holiday cards from 30 years ago! I am struggling to let this ‘treasure’ go and just don’t know how to do it. I tell myself that if I hadn’t seen it and didn’t know it existed, I wouldn’t miss it. I need to just let it go. Any advice from anyone would be appreciated!
Julie says
Do you have to let it go? I don’t want to stop you from minimizing, by all means if you want to let it go then let it go. But, if it adds value to your life than you don’t have to let it go either. Your reference to it as a treasure suggests that it might. Making a decision in a time of loss can be difficult, and honestly isn’t always the best time to make a decision. My thought is if this brings value to your life today, maybe in memories of your parents or even in learning something new about your mother, than keep it. And tomorrow, or next month, or in another year or two if it is no longer bringing value to your life then you can let it go.
Fiona Harvey says
I’ve loved reading your blog over the last 7+ years and want to thank you for generously sharing your wisdom and connecting so many people around the world. I also love that you have crystallised one question to ask to keep you focused on your mission! Now I’m challenged to think hard about my own life and what one question I can ask myself.
Elisabetta Manfredi says
I’m looking forward for your newsletter in my email box …. you inspire me so much. Thank you for your promise to continue your work. ( From Trieste Italy )
Lindsey says
Like so many of your readers, I’m trucking forward on my minimalist journey as well. I’ve been interested for a few years, but after having a baby and working from home for almost a full year now, I couldn’t stand the junk that kept piling up and having to look at it all day. While minimizing with a child under 1 has not been easy, I’ve found slow and steady to be my mantra. I try to spend 5-10 minutes every day and every few days I have a box or a few bags that I post on Buy Nothing and if it doesn’t go with a week or two, take to Goodwill. People have been so happy to receive my extra stuff through Buy Nothing. I encourage others to look up if they have a Buy Nothing group in their area on Facebook. It is a responsible way to get rid of possessions that still have a lot of value, so they don’t end up in a dumpster behind a charity store (unfortunately, that happens a lot). Thanks for your words of wisdom
Natalie says
Hi Joshua. I want to say a heartfelt thank you for all your work. I devour every word you write here and enjoy your YouTube videos too. For 2.5 years since I was 25, minimalism has been my philosophy and guiding principle in life. I take so much inspiration and joy from your content. It serves as a regular reminder to me of what my values are and how to stay true to them. Minimalism makes me happy and gives me meaning in life, and for that I am so grateful to you.
Hannah B says
It seems like there is a good amount of good intentions you have put into this blog. I have been enjoying it very much and very grateful this helps me going on in my spared alone time. I have other activities and this is one among many that captivate me the most. Love to see how much you have done and well. Thanks.
joshua becker says
Thank you for the encouraging words. I appreciate them very much.
Ann Collver says
Like so many of the ladies on here I’m also in my seventies. Read Minimalist Home first then found your blogs and other minimalists. Thank you for today’s post. I subscribe to your Simplicity magazines and follow The Hope Project. Just didn’t realize that you were behind so much of it. My main reason for becoming a minimalist was because I had been left my parents’ home full of belongings and memories and owned my own home. Combining the two meant some purging but then realizing I didn’t want my daughter dealing with so much. She is grateful and pleased. Thank you Josh for all you’ve done for so many.
joshua becker says
And thank you for being along for the journey.